Comparison between the effect of propofol and midazolam on
picrotoxin-induced convulsions in rat

Authors:

Zuheir A. Hasan , Rima L. Abdel Razzak, Karem H. Alzoubi

Abstract:

Propofol is a short acting intravenous anesthetic that has been used in the treatment of status epileptics.
However, the occurrence of seizures in epileptic and non-epileptic patients during recovery from propofol
induced anesthesia suggests that propofol may have proconvulsant effects.We have previously shown that
propofol displays anticonvulsant effects against picrotoxin (PTX) induced seizures during its peak sedative
effects. The purpose of the present study was to compare the time course of the effect of intravenous administration
of various doses (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) of propofol and midazolam on PTX-induced seizures in
adult female Sprague–Dawley rats. The latency to onset of clonic seizures induced by intraperitoneal injection
of PTX was significantly increased by the highest dose of propofol and all doses of midazolam, suggesting
that both agents display anticonvulsant effects. The anticonvulsant effects of propofol (10 mg/kg) lasted
about 20 min and PTX-induced clonic seizures were observed thereafter and peaked within 30 min post
drug administration. Clonic seizures progressed rapidly to tonic seizures leading to high rate of PTXinduced
mortality. In midazolam (10 mg/kg) treated rats, clonic seizures were observed 25 min after drug administration and the number of rats exhibiting clonic seizures was highest within 40 min. However,
clonic seizures did not progress into tonic seizures and thus, PTX-induced seizure related mortality was significantly
reduced. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence for the anticonvulsant effects of
propofol and midazolam against PTX-induced seizures. Furthermore, the data of the current study showed
that midazolam was more effective than propofol against PTX-induced tonic seizures.